Three Carlton Academy Trust Schools Shortlisted for Bradford Telegraph and Argus Education Awards

Carlton Academy Trust is proud to announce that three of its schools and leaders have been shortlisted at this year’s Bradford Telegraph and Argus Education Awards, recognising excellence across the Trust and its commitment to delivering outstanding education.

Carlton Keighley Secondary School has been shortlisted for Secondary School of the Year following an exceptional year of progress and achievement. In April 2025, the school received a glowing Ofsted report following its ungraded inspection, highlighting the strength of leadership, quality of education and positive school culture. This success was followed by the school’s best ever GCSE maths results in Summer 2025, with an 11.3 per cent increase in students achieving Grade 5 and above.

Alongside academic success at Key Stage 4, Carlton Keighley has also delivered transformational improvements in literacy. Reading ages have increased by an average of 19 months in a single year, while the number of functionally illiterate students has fallen by 31 per cent, opening doors to learning, confidence and future success for some of the school’s most vulnerable learners.

Thorpe Primary School has been shortlisted for Primary School of the Year, reflecting its sustained culture of high expectations and strong pupil outcomes. Following the publication of the national primary performance tables, Thorpe was ranked joint third highest performing school in Bradford for average Reading scores for all pupils, alongside Marshfield Primary School.

Even more notably, for disadvantaged pupils, Thorpe was ranked joint highest performing school in Bradford for Reading out of 178 schools. These outcomes demonstrate the school’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every child, regardless of background, achieves their full potential.

Marshfield Primary School also has reason to celebrate, with Zara Kearns, Head of School, shortlisted for Headteacher of the Year. This recognition follows an exceptional period of achievement for the school. In April 2025, Marshfield was rated Outstanding in all areas following its Ofsted inspection. In December 2025, the school celebrated exceptional Key Stage 2 results, ranking joint third highest in Bradford for average Reading scores for all pupils.

The school’s leadership strength was further recognised in Summer 2025, when its Deputy Headteacher received a Silver Award at the Pearson Teaching Awards.

Adrian Kneeshaw, Chief Executive Officer of Carlton Academy Trust, said:

“We are incredibly proud to see three of our schools and leaders shortlisted for these prestigious awards. Each nomination reflects the dedication, professionalism and ambition that define our Trust. From record GCSE results and transformational literacy improvements at Carlton Keighley, to exceptional primary outcomes at Thorpe and Marshfield, and outstanding leadership recognised across our schools, this is a powerful endorsement of the work taking place every day. Most importantly, it reflects the success and potential of the children and young people we serve.”

The winners of the Bradford Telegraph and Argus Education Awards will be announced later this year, and the Trust looks forward to celebrating alongside schools from across the district.